Footrest

ABSTRACT

A footrest useful for supporting a user&#39;s foot when tying shoelaces, comprises an elongated support having a longitudinal axis, and a first member and a second member perpendicularly connected to the elongated support wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is adapted to move relative to and about the elongated axis. The first member and the second member are substantially adjacent to one another in a folded position, and the first member and the second member are spread apart in a deployed position for forming an angle therebetween sufficient to ensure stability of the footrest when the user&#39;s foot is placed on the elongated support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is based upon and claims the priority of Israeli Patent Application No. 270290, filed Oct. 30, 2019, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosed subject matter relates to footrests for tying shoelaces. More particularly, the present disclosed subject matter relates to folding footrests and portable footrests to facilitate shoelaces tying.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, footrests, also known as footstools, are used for comfort to a person seated, for example, in a chair or sofa. It is characteristically a short, wide, four-legged stool; this type of footrest is also a called ottoman. A footrest allows a seated person to rest their feet upon it, supporting the legs at a mostly horizontal level, thus giving rise to the alternate term footstool.

Most commercially available footrests are placed under the feet of a sitting person so that the person's feet may rest comfortably on it. Also, it is used to make the blood circulation of the body flow more freely when sitting down.

There are no devices that are adapted to allow a person to tie his shoelace comfortably without having to put his leg up and rest it on different objects that may or may not be randomly in the area of that person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a footrest is provided adapted to allow a person to rest his or her foot in a relatively higher place than the floor and enable him or her to comfortably tie their shoelaces.

It is therefore provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a footrest used for supporting a user's foot when tying shoelaces, the footrest comprising:

-   -   an elongated support having a longitudinal axis; and     -   a first member and a second member perpendicularly connected to         the elongated support wherein at least one of the first member         and the second member is adapted to move relative to and about         the elongated axis,     -   wherein the first member and the second member are substantially         adjacent to one another in a folded position, and the first         member and the second member are spread apart in a deployed         position for forming an angle therebetween sufficient to ensure         stability of the footrest when the user's foot is placed on the         elongated support.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the elongated support is provided with an interior shaft.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the first member and the second member comprise apertures through which the shaft is inserted for interlocking the first member and the second member to the support so that the first member and the second member can swing about the support.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the first member is fixedly connected to the support and wherein the second member comprises apertures in which the shaft is inserted for interlocking the second member to the support so that the second member can swing about the support.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the footrest further comprises stoppers configured to set the angle in the deployed position.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the deployed position is when the angle is greater than zero and smaller than ninety.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the angle is between 30 and 45 degrees.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the elongated support is made of a material selected from the group consisting of tough materials such as wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, and any combination thereof, or the like.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the elongated support is provided with a surface adapted to prevent foot slippage from the support.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the surface is a sticker adhered onto the support.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the surface is made of serrated metal sheet.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the surface is provided with protrusions or any other type of surface enhancement.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the surface is provided as a sleeve on substantially the entire surface of the support or on a part of the support.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the first member and the second member further comprise feet-bumpers for preventing the footrest from sliding when lateral force is applied against the footrest.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, in the folded position, the first member and the second member fit one within the other.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the angle defines a height of the support from the floor.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosed subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosed subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosed subject matter only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the disclosed subject matter. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosed subject matter in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a folding footrest, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a side view of the folding footrest in a deployed position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2B depicts a cross-section of the side view of the folding footrest in a deployed position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3A schematically illustrates a front view of the folding footrest in a deployed position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and

FIG. 3B depicts a cross-section of the front view of the folding footrest in a folded position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The drawings are generally not to scale. For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, and “having” together with their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. The term “consisting of” has the same meaning as “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this disclosed subject matter may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range.

It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a folding footrest that can be utilized in venues, such as, for example, airports, public places, playgrounds, hotel rooms, shoe stores, residences, or the like in order to facilitate people in tying their shoelaces when they need to stand or seat on a edge of a bed, without difficulties.

One example of the aspects dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is providing the folding footrest as supporting device for shoe lacing, in airports, after security check. Another example, is providing the footrest in public places as a part of the scenery, which can be combined with planters, seating areas, lighting and more. Yet another example is providing the footrest to residences as well as hotel rooms, to be used as a shoe lacing device, shoe shining device, ottoman, and any combination thereof, or the like. Yet another example, is providing the footrest to shoe stores for placing feet up comfortably while trying new shoes.

The benefits of utilizing the disclosed subject matter can comprise: floor space saving; easy to use; easily stowed under bed or cabinets; mobility; and simple to use.

Referring now to FIG. 1, schematically illustrating a folding footrest, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Folding footrest 100 can be comprised primarily of a first member 120, a second member 130 and an elongated support 110 therebetween.

In some exemplary embodiments, the elongated support 110 may have a cylindrical shape, i.e., circular cross-section, terminated with covers 111 at both ends of the support. Additionally, or alternatively, the support 110 can have an elliptical cross-section or any other, defined or undefined, geometric cross-section, such as, for example, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, and any combination thereof, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the support 110, onto which the shoe is positioned by the user, can be made of commercially available materials such as wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, and any combination thereof, or the like. The support can be manufactured to have a textured, coarse or rough, in order to avoid foot slippage. The texture can be made using extrusion methods or compression. The support rough material can be covered with an anti-slip surface (skin) designed to prevent slippage of a foot from the support while a user rests a foot on the support for tying his/her shoelaces.

The anti-slip surface can be made of polymeric material that has a relatively high friction coefficient, for increasing the friction between the sole of a shoe and the support. According to one embodiment, the anti-slip surface can be a sticker that is adhered on the support. Additionally, or alternatively, the surface can be provided with protrusions or any other type of surface enhancement. Also, the skin of support 110 may be made of fabric that serves as an anti-slip surface. The anti-slip surface can be provided as a sleeve on substantially the entire surface of the support or on a part of the support. Another method of producing a surface that prevents slippage is to remove an upper portion of the support and insertion of serrated metal sheet. If plastics are used, a floor flut drop can be used.

In some exemplary embodiments, members 120 and 130 act as legs having, a sharp U-shaped frame, such as depicted in FIG. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, members 120 and 130 can have an H-shaped frame, an X-shaped frame, or the like. The members can be made of steel, wood, plastic, aluminum, and any combination thereof, or the like. Each member can comprise one or more feet-bumpers 144 designed to prevent sliding of the footrest 100 when lateral or vertical force is applied on/against the footrest, i.e., when a user leans with his/her foot on top or against the footrest 100. That is to say, feet-bumpers 144 assist in preventing the members from sliding of the entire footrest.

The footrest 100 can be provided with a single shaft extending within and along the longitudinal axis [x] the elongated support 110 (shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B). In some exemplary embodiments, member 130 can be fixedly connected to support 110, whereas member 120 is hinged (to be described in detail further below) to the shaft so that member 120 can swing around the shaft from folding to unfolding positions and vise-versa. Additionally, or alternatively, both members may be hinged around the shaft, so that the members can swing for the purpose of folding and unfolding footrest 100.

It should be noted that in a folded position, both members are substantially adjacent to one another, while in a deployed position, the angle between the first and second members should be sufficient to ensure stability of the footrest. Typically, in deployed position, the angle (a) between the first and the second members is greater than 20 degrees and smaller than 90 but preferably between 30-45 degrees.

The folding footrest 100 can be folded, preferably but not necessarily manually, to a folding position, by pushing the members against each other so that an angle (a) between the two members shall be zero or substantially close to zero. Alternatively, the folding footrest 100 can be unfolded to a deployed position, by pulling the members away from one another so that a shall be greater than 0 (α>0). In some exemplary embodiments, the user can manually adjust the angle α in order to alter a height (h) of support 110 from the floor.

It should be noted that, in folded position the first and second members are substantially adjacent to one another. In contrast to deployed position in which the angle between the first and the second members should be sufficient to ensure stability of the footrest.

It should be noted that in some exemplary embodiments, a span [a12] of member 120 is smaller than span [a13] of member 130 so as to allow member 120 to fit within member 130 in folded position. Additionally, or alternatively, one of the members may comprise a clasp or a hook (not shown) configured to hold shoe lacing or shoe shining accessories, such as shoehorn.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrating a side view and a cross-section of the footrest in a deployed position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

In the deployed position as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, members 120 and 130 can spread away from one another to a maximum angle α, wherein, the angle α, between the members, is limited by stoppers 112. FIG. 2B illustrates the members in their maximum spreading angle limited by the stoppers.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first member and the second member are each having at least two ends, in which each end is terminated with an aperture 123 that is parallel to the aperture 123 of the other end. In some exemplary embodiments, apertures 123 enable the members to pivot around shaft 150, which is inserted through all four aperture 123 (two for each member) and also fixed to the support 110. This design, practically creates hinges that allow members 120 and 130 to swing with respect to the support and one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrating a front view and a cross-section of the footrest in a folded position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. A support assembly, of some embodiments, can be comprised of support 110 and shaft 150 that are connected together by both covers 111 as shown in FIG. 3B.

In some exemplary embodiments, support 110 has a single cutout along a bottom section of support 110. Alternatively, support 110 can have two partial cutouts (not shown) at each end of the bottom section of support 110, wherein each partial cutout has a length that is slightly longer than the distance between member 130 and 120 of each side, i.e.

$\left\{ {> \frac{{a13} - {a12}}{2}} \right\}.$

In some exemplary embodiments, the cutout, regardless of its length, forms a slit having a constant width that limits the swing angle α of the members, thus practically serves as stoppers 112.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. 

1. A footrest used for supporting a user's foot when tying shoelaces, the footrest comprising: an elongated support having a longitudinal axis; and a first member and a second member perpendicularly connected to the elongated support wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is adapted to move relative to and about the elongated axis, wherein the first member and the second member are substantially adjacent to one another in a folded position, and the first member and the second member are spread apart in a deployed position for forming an angle therebetween sufficient to ensure stability of the footrest when the user's foot is placed on the elongated support.
 2. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the elongated support is provided with an interior shaft.
 3. The footrest of claim 2, wherein the first member and the second member comprise apertures through which the shaft is inserted for interlocking the first member and the second member to the support so that the first member and the second member can swing about the support.
 4. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the first member is fixedly connected to the support and wherein the second member comprises apertures in which the shaft is inserted for interlocking the second member to the support so that the second member can swing about the support.
 5. The footrest of claim 1, further comprising stoppers configured to set the angle in the deployed position.
 6. The footrest of claim 1, wherein said deployed position is when the angle is greater than zero and smaller than ninety.
 7. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the angle is between 30 and 45 degrees.
 8. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the elongated support is made of a material selected from the group consisting of tough materials such as wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, and any combination thereof, or the like.
 9. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the elongated support is provided with a surface adapted to prevent foot slippage from the support.
 10. The footrest of claim 9, wherein the surface is a sticker adhered onto the support.
 11. The footrest of claim 9, wherein the surface is made of serrated metal sheet.
 12. The footrest of claim 9, wherein the surface is provided with protrusions or any other type of surface enhancement.
 13. The footrest of claim 9, wherein the surface is provided as a sleeve on substantially the entire surface of the support or on a part of the support.
 14. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member further comprise feet-bumpers for preventing the footrest from sliding when lateral force is applied against the footrest.
 15. The footrest of claim 1, wherein in the folded position, the first member and the second member fit one within the other.
 16. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the angle defines a height of the support from the floor. 